Characterization of simple polyphenols in seeds of autochthonous grapevine varieties grown in Croatia (Vitis vinifera L.)

The use of bentonite in oenology rounds around the limpidity and the stability that determine consumer acceptability. As a matter of fact, the haze formation in wine reduces its commercial value and makes it unacceptable for sale. Stabilization treatments are, therefore, essential to ensure a long-time limpidity and to forecast the formation of deposits in the bottle. Bentonite that is normally used in oenology for clarifying-fining purpose, shows a natural clay-based mineral structure allowing it to swell and to jelly in water and hence in must and wine.

Using grapevine genetic diversity is one of the strategies to adapt viticulture to climate change. In this sense, assessing the plasticity of cultivars in their responses to environmental conditions is essential. For this purpose, the drought tolerance of Grenache, Tempranillo and Semillon cultivars grafted onto SO4 was evaluated at two experimental vineyards, one located in Valencia (Spain) and the other in Bordeaux (France). This was done by assessing gas exchange parameters, water relations and leaf hydraulic traits at the end of the season.

The wooden barrel is a key factor in enology, since wine chemical composition and sensory properties changes significantly in contact with the barrel[1]. Today’s highly competitive market constantly demands new differentiated products and wineries search innovations continuously.
Wood selection is crucial: barrels stability to keep constant their contribution and the result on products, and additional and differentiated wood contributions to impact their new products. Oak wood selection has traditionally been carried out using parameters such as specie, location and grain, however, it goes one step further nowadays. Large cooperage work with non-destructive techniques that allow classifying oak wood quickly and easily according to their organoleptic contribution[2].

During ripening seed tannins evolve, as demonstrated by the taste and color changes. In this work we tried to develop an objective, easy and fast index, useful for winemakers. In this direction we propose two different spectrophotometric indexes, one related to the molecular structure and tannin subunits linkages, and the other related to the antioxidant properties. Especially the second one gave very interesting and unexpected results.

This work began as an intellectual game, in order to discuss the notion of wine quality in terms of terroir and territory spatial structure. Vine and wine quality has long been questioned by scientists. Each discipline approaching it with his own tools.